Blow molded toy cycle

ABSTRACT

A blow molded toy cycle has a female bearing area with tapered and recess sections. A fork has a corresponding male bearing area that includes a tapered section and an annular protrusion section. A protrusion spaced at a distance from the annular protrusion extends from the shaft and has a surface to contact a top surface of the body to secure the fork when the male and female bearing areas are in contact. The fork has integrally formed tabs that to bend around an axle to form a bearing area for the axle that allows the axle to rotate within the fork. A blow molded pedal attaches to a section of the axle and has a series of ribs disposed between side sections to form a bearing area that allows the pedal to rotate around the axle. Two rear and one front wheels attach to the body and fork respectively.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to toy cycles and more particularly blow moldedtoy tricycles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A toy tricycle is well known in the art, however these known tricyclessuffer from a number of disadvantages that can have an effect on theassembly, durability, performance and ease of use of the toy tricycle.

The known toy tricycles of the type with a large front wheel and twosmaller back wheels are molded from plastic parts and assembled by theend user, or typically the parent of the end user. As with manychildren's toys, including toy tricycles, assembly can be a difficult oroverly complicated. Often, there are numerous small parts that can belost during assembly or unpacking. Further, during manufacture, eachpart must be properly accounted for so that the end user can fullyassemble the toy. Because there may be a number of small partsassociated with the toy, each part may need a separate manufacturingline or machine to produce the required parts. Further, in some cases,not all of the parts associated with a given toy will be manufactured atthe same site, and may be outsourced to different manufacturers. Thisleads to added sourcing complexities and packaging issues.

For example, prior art toy tricycles may use blow molded parts to makeup the large portions of the toy, and then use injection moldingmachines to create the smaller parts. This requires multiple molds andmultiple machines to produce all the parts necessary to create a workingand user assembled toy. In some cases, the manufacturing plant that doesthe blow molding may not also handle injection molding, and typicallyneither plant will manufacture the metal parts for the tricycle. Thiscreates supply chain issues that require coordination from multiplesuppliers since each part must be accounted for during packaging.Further, some of the injection molded parts may be intended to be thesame color as the blow molded parts, however the properties andmanufacturing techniques associated with the two parts are different,which results in the possibility of differing colors or differing shadesof colors, which can have an impact on the aesthetic quality of the endproduct. The elimination of one supplier or even one part from thesupply chain can greatly reduce manufacturing and related supply chaincosts, however prior art tricycles have not successfully reduced theneed for small parts.

In addition to a complicated scenario associated with manufacturing andsourcing all the parts for the toy, the prior art toy cycles can becounter-intuitive or difficult to assemble. Furthermore, small parts canbe easily lost. Even though directions and warnings are conspicuouslynoted on the assembly instructions of most toys, individuals assemblingthe toy may disregard the instructions and warnings. This creates aproblem of incorrect assembly that can result in an unsafe assembly orless than optimal performance of the end product, which in turn reducesconsumer satisfaction with the product. The difficulty with many priorart toy tricycles is that there is more than one way to assemble the toyif not reading and following the directions, but in reality only one iscorrect and according to the design of the toy.

Prior art toy cycles also may not have sufficient durability to stand upto the repeated use over time. Improved durability reduces thelikelihood of failure of the toy cycle due to abuse. As one example, theinterface of the fork and the body of is subject to wear associated withturning the handlebar and therefore the fork. This wear is exacerbatedby the weight of the rider, and eventually there will be play or wobbleassociated with the interface between body and fork. This wobble cancause increased bending stress on the shaft of the fork, which in turncan cause failure or buckling of the shaft wall in a dangerous manner.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a toy cycle havingimproved wear characteristics.

Another object is to provide a toy cycle having an improved assemblyalong with modified parts of that toy cycle that aid in the improvedassembly that results in a more durable and less complicated toy cycle.

Another object is to provide a toy cycle an improved design that reducesthe likelihood of incorrect assembly.

Yet another object of the present invention to reduce the total numberof separate parts needed to create a toy cycle.

A further object of the present invention is to manufacture more of theplastic parts through blow molding.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a toy cyclehaving improved strength and durability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects are achieved by providing a blow molded toycycle with a body having a seating surface 1000 and an arm 1001. The armhas a hole 1002 with a first axis 1010, the hole defining a femalebearing area 404 with a first tapered section 44 and a first recesssection 40. A fork 2 has a shaft portion 1003 at a proximal end 1005,the shaft portion having a second axis 1012 passing through a center ofthe shaft portion. A male bearing area 1004 is located on the shaftportion, the male bearing area has a second tapered section 2010 and anannular protrusion section 2012. At least one protrusion 2008 is spacedat a distance from the annular protrusion and extends from the shaftportion. The protrusion has a surface adapted to contact a top surfaceof the body to secure the fork to the body. The male bearing area isadapted to contact said female bearing area when the shaft portion isinserted into the female bearing area such that the first and secondtapered sections are in contact and the recess section and the annularprotrusion section are in contact.

The toy cycle can further include a portion of the shaft being adaptedto receive a handlebar. A second protrusion extends from the portionadapted to receive the handlebar. The handlebar has a void 1007 and arecess, the recess is adapted to interact with the second protrusion.The toy can also have handlebar with a void defining a wall. At leastone protrusion extends from the wall. The shaft portion has a recessadapted to interact with the at least one protrusion extending from thewall to secure the handlebar to the shaft portion.

The toy can further have a wall with at least one flat surface, and theshaft portion has a section with at least one flat surface. The at leastone flat surface of the wall and the at least one flat surface of theshaft portion can interact to rotate the shaft when the handlebar isrotated.

Further, the recess can have a first radial surface 2012 parallel to thefirst axis. An annular protrusion having a second radial surface 42 isparallel to the second axis. The first and second vertically orientedsurfaces are adapted to contact to limit change in an angle of firstaxis with respect to the second axis. The toy can further have a secondrecess section in the female bearing area defining the top surface 40.The surface 1008 of the protrusion extending perpendicular to the secondaxis, and the top surface perpendicular to the first axis.

The toy can further have tabs integrally formed to the fork at a distalend of the fork, the tabs having a flexible portion and a rigid portion,the rigid portion having a first surface. A recess at the distal end ofthe fork is adapted to receive an axle. The flexible portion is adaptedto bend such that the first surface mates with the fork for mounting theaxle to the fork while allowing the axle to rotate within the recess. Inaddition, the surface of said protrusion of the shaft extendsperpendicular to the second axis.

The toy can further have a protrusion on the tab and a second recess onthe fork, the protrusion on the tab can be inserted into the secondrecess to align the tab with the fork.

In addition, the toy can have a protrusion on the fork and a recess inthe tab. The protrusion inserted into the recess in said tab to alignthe tab with the fork.

The toy can also have an axle recess in the tab, the axle adapted torotate within the axle recess.

The toy can also have a blow molded pedal with a bearing surface havinga central axis. The pedal has a plurality of ribs each with a curvedsurface facing the central axis, each curved surface has a radius, thecurved surfaces defining the bearing surface. In addition, two sidesections 1006 are connected to the plurality of ribs and define twosubstantially flat surfaces. The bearing surface is adapted to rotatearound a first section of the axle.

The pedal can further have the plurality of ribs in alternateorientations with respect the central axis. The pedal can also have aplurality of protrusions extending from each of the first and secondsurfaces. The protrusions provide traction for the pedal.

The toy cycle has a body and a blow molded fork adapted to secure to thebody. Tabs are integrally formed to the fork at a distal end of thefork. The tabs have a flexible portion and a rigid portion, the rigidportion has a first surface. A recess at the distal end of the fork 28is adapted to receive an axle. The flexible portion is adapted to bendsuch that the first surface mates with the fork for mounting the axle tothe fork while allowing the axle to rotate within the recess.

The toy cycle can further have a blow molded pedal. The pedal has abearing surface with a central axis. A plurality of ribs each having acurved surface face the central axis, and each curved surface has aradius, the curved surfaces defining the bearing surface. The pedal hastwo side sections connected to the plurality of ribs and the sidesections define two substantially flat surfaces. The bearing surface isadapted to rotate around a first section of the axle. The pedal canfurther have a proximal end of adapted to receive the first section ofthe axle. A stop is at a distal end of the pedal, the stop adapted tolimit the insertion of the first axle section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toy cycle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is detail view of the fork shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detail view the interaction between the fork and body shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fork shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the handlebar shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are respectively bottom and top perspective views of thebody shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the wheel assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the wheel and fork assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are top and perspective views of the pedal shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 10 is a prior art pedal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the tricycle of the present invention with a body 4 with aseating surface 4000 and an arm 4002. A fork 2 is inserted into a holein the arm. An axle 3 is mounted to the fork 2 and a wheel is secured tothe axle 3. Each side of the axle has a pedal 70 affixed thereto. Thefork 2 has a shaft with bearing surface composed of a tapered section2010 and a ring 2012. The bearing surface interacts with a correspondingtapered section and recess in the body, which are shown in more detailin FIGS. 6A and 6B. The ring and the recess interact to support theweight of the rider while the tapered section 2010 and the correspondingtapered section in the body interact to prevent wobble between the forkand body.

An axis aligns with the center of the shaft and passes through the wheelaxle to define a vertical angle. The tapered section is at an angle thatis closer to the vertical angle than a horizontal plane, where thehorizontal plane is perpendicular to the axis, for example less than 20degrees, preferably less than 10 degrees and even more preferably lessthan 5 degrees but greater than 1 degree. The ring has a first surface2012 extending between the tapered section and an outer surface of thering. The outer surface 2112 of the ring being generally vertical inorientation and the first surface extends generally horizontal from thetapered section. The first surface may be generally flat and horizontalor may have a rounded profile. A surface corresponding to the firstsurface is located within the hole of the body and mates with the firstsurface to support the weight of the rider. The height of the recess inthe hole makes up preferably less than 50% of the total distance betweenthe top and bottom surfaces of the arm. More preferably the height isless than 40% and even more preferably less than 25% of the distancebetween the top and bottom surfaces of the arm. The distance between theouter surface 2112 and the tapered section is preferably less than 20%of the diameter of the tapered section where the tapered section meetsthe ring, and more preferably less than 10%.

The outer surface of the ring is generally vertical in order to preventbuckling of the ring in response to a rider's weight, and acorresponding surface in the body may mate with the outer surface of thering. The tapered section of the shaft allows the shaft to be easilyinserted into the body. The tapered section and the surfaces of the ringmay move against the corresponding surfaces or sections of the body toallow the fork to rotate. Since the majority of a rider's weight isdesigned to be supported by the ring, the total contact area isminimized in comparison to prior art tricycles. Without the ring, thetapered section would support the weight of the rider, which wouldlikewise result in increased wear on the tapered section and lead towobble and potentially catastrophic failure. Since the ring supports themajority of the weight of the rider and the ring has a smaller surfacearea than the tapered section would, the tricycle has reduced frictionor resistance associated with the rotation of the handlebar, andfurther, more of the wear between the fork and body is localized at thering. This produces improved handling characteristics of the tricycleboth upon initial assembly and over the lifetime of the toy. The firstsurface is also relatively narrow in comparison to the diameter of theshaft. In other words, the distance between the tapered shaft and theouter surface of the ring is relatively small in comparison to thediameter of the tapered shaft. The outer surface of the ring alsointeracts with a corresponding surface of the hole in the body. Thesetwo surfaces are generally disposed in a vertical orientation, and thesetwo surfaces bear against each other and may rotate against each other.This further reduces the possibility of wobble of the fork.

Between the tapered section and the outer surface of the ring there maybe a curved or rounded profile to the surface that supports the majorityof the rider's weight. The curved profile can further improve thehandling characteristics. The fork has a square section 2006 thatconnects with a handlebar 6 and allows steering inputs to rotate thefork to steer the tricycle. A hole 2014 allows a bolt to be insertedinto the handlebar. The fork and the handlebar may have correspondingprotrusions and recesses designed to prevent a user from incorrectlyassembling the tricycle. This is shown in more detail by FIGS. 3-5.

A protrusion 2008 extends from the shaft and interacts with the body tosecure the fork to the void in the body while allowing for rotation ofthe fork. As shown in the figures and more particularly 6A and 6B, theprotrusion of the shaft may rotate within a top recess. The top recessmay be annular, allowing the shaft to rotate a full 360 degrees withinthe void of the body. Optionally the top recess and the fork may have astop that limits rotation to a predetermined degree so that steeringinputs prevent the user from turning the front wheel too much, forexample so that the front wheel shaft is perpendicular to the rearwheels. The stop would interact with the protrusion to prevent overrotation of the fork.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fork has a tab 22 that secures an axle 3 havinga crank portion 32 and a pedal axle portion 322. As will be shown inFIG. 2, the tab has a flexible portion and a rigid portion. Duringassembly, the tab is designed to be bent around so that the axle 3 iscontained by a recess in the fork and the tab once the tab is secured tothe fork. The tab is integrally formed with the blow molded fork. Thiseliminates the need to create another mold for plastic pieces thatattach to the fork to secure the wheel shaft to the fork.

The pedal 70 is attached to the pedal axle portion 322 so that the pedalmay rotate around the pedal axle portion 322. The pedal 70 is shown inmore detail in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

As discussed above, FIG. 2 shows how the tab 22 and fork 2 are designedto receive the axle 3. The distal end of the fork has the integrallyformed tab attached to it with a flexible portion 222 and a rigidportion 1009 having a first surface 2222. When bent around the axle, theflexible portion 222 bends such that the surface 2222 contacts surface26. As shown in the figure, surface 26 is a recess in the rear of thefork that is shaped as the female counterpart of the tab 22 such thatthe fork 2 and tab produce a more continuous or smooth surface onceassembled. Alternately, the surface 26 may extend from the fork withoutany recess into the fork such that the tab is raised from the fork onceassembled. In order to further aid in assembly, the tab has a recess 224that interacts with a protrusion 228 located on the fork. Thisinteraction helps align the tab during assembly and to properly alignthe holes in the tab and fork for easier assembly. A recess in the fork28 is designed to receive the axle 3 such that the axle rotates withinthe recess 28 and the recess 28 acts as a bearing surface between theaxle 3 and the fork. A corresponding recess 24 may exist in the tab tofurther provide a bearing surface.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the body 4 with the fork inserted therein.The protrusion 2008 extends from the shaft and interacts with the bodyat a recess 40 to provide a locking action that prevents the fork fromcoming out of the body. One surface of the protrusion is substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of the shaft that has been described above,and the substantially perpendicular surface interacts with the body tosecure the fork to the body. The protrusion 2008 may be designed in anumber of lengths to provide more or less permanent locking action. Forexample, a longer protrusion would result in a more permanent lockingaction, making it more difficult to pull the fork from the body than ifthe protrusion were shorter. The body may also be designed without arecess and the protrusion 2008 would then interact with the top surfaceof the body to provide a locking action. The square portion of the forkextends above the body and is designed to interact with the handlebar.Protrusion 2002 extends from one side of the square section and alignswith a corresponding recess in the handlebar to ensure proper alignmentof the handlebar with the fork. Recess 2004 interacts with a clip orprotrusion on the handlebar to provide a locking action similar to thatof the locking action that secures the fork to the body. The protrusion2008 can also have a generally triangular cross section, where one edgeof the triangle is the substantially horizontal surface, one edge is inalignment with the tapered section of the shaft and the third edge isangled downwards from the tapered section to the distal end of thehorizontal surface to aid in insertion of the shaft into the body andfurther allowing the protrusion to displace during insertion and thenspring back so that the horizontal surface of the protrusion interactswith the body to secure the fork to the body. The triangular crosssection may further have rounded profiles or edges to reduce thelikelihood of plastic deformation during insertion of the shaft into thebody.

The proximal end of the fork has a generally square cross section. Thecorners of the cross section may be rounded to aid in removing the forkfrom the mold during manufacturing. The square shape of the crosssection allows the handlebar to be installed over the fork so thatrotation of the handlebar causes rotation of the fork due to theinteracting squared shapes. Alternatively, the shape of the crosssection could be an oval or another shape that would link the rotationof the handlebar to the rotation of the fork. For example, the fork andhandlebar could each have one flat section that would interact to linkthe rotation of the handlebar to the rotation of the fork. Theprotrusion 2002 extends from the portion of the shaft with a squarecross section. The handlebar has a recess that corresponds to thisprotrusion such that the protrusion inserts into the recess of thehandlebar when the handlebar is installed over the shaft. The design ofthe protrusion and recess results in a handlebar that can only beassembled in one orientation. The square section of the shaft has a holein it and the handlebar has a corresponding hole. The two holes alignduring correct installation such that a bolt can be inserted through thehandlebar and shaft to secure the assembly. Because there is oneprotrusion extending from one side of the shaft and a recess on thecorresponding wall of the void in the handlebar, the handlebar can onlybe installed in one direction. This makes the installation and assemblyof the toy cycle more intuitive, because an individual who chooses notto read the assembly directions would only be able to mount thehandlebar in the correct orientation.

FIG. 4 shows the fork and more specifically the bearing section of thefork that includes a ring with a surface 2012 for supporting the weightof the rider and a tapered section 2010. The ring and tapered sectionsinteract with the corresponding recess and tapered section in the body.Outer surface 2112 interacts with a corresponding surface of the recessin the body to further reduce wobble.

FIG. 5 shows the underside of the handlebar with a recess 62 designed tointeract with protrusion 2002 on the fork. The void in the handlebar asshown has a generally square profile that corresponds to the squareprofile of the shaft. Clips 64 and 66 interact with recess 2004 toprovide locking action for the handlebar against the square section ofthe shaft. The recess 2004 and clips 64 and 66 have generally horizontalsurfaces that interact to create this locking action. This lockingaction for the handlebar enhances the security and durability of thetoy. As discussed previously, an individual assembling the toy may notread or pay attention to directions, regardless of how conspicuous thewarnings are. This could result in the bolt through the holes in thehandlebar and shaft not being installed. The addition of the protrusionsthat lock against the fork would still result in the handlebar securedto the fork. Further, the protrusions and locking action described wouldact as a safety backup that would allow the tricycle to still function.

FIG. 6A shows the bottom of the body at the void a recess havingsurfaces 404 and 42 that interact with the corresponding ring withsurface 2012 on the fork to support the rider's weight. Tapered section44 interacts with the tapered section of the shaft 2010, which reduceswobble between the fork and body.

FIG. 6B shows the top of the body where tapered section 44 meets withrecess 40 on the top surface. Recess 40 interacts with the protrusion2008 on the fork to provide a locking action previously described.

FIG. 7 shows one side of the wheel 30 with two inserts 34 and 36. Theinserts have a channel 334 that interacts with a correspondingprotrusion on the axle 3. The interaction of the channel and theprotrusion of the axle allows for torque transmitted from the pedals torotate the axle and thereby rotate the wheel 30. The wheel has a recesstherein that is shaped to receive the inserts, the recess and likewisethe inserts have flat surfaces that interact to transfer a torquegenerated by the shaft to the wheel. Because the axle is formed from around bar and has a number of bends and the wheel has a thickness, therecess in the wheel is larger than the diameter of the round bar so thatthe various angles and bends of the axle may be inserted through thewheel. Once the axle is inserted into the recess of the wheel, theinserts are placed within either side of the wheel. The recess of thewheel has an internal surface that interacts with the two inserts toprevent insertion of the inserts all the way through the wheel.Likewise, the other side of the wheel also receives another two inserts.FIG. 8 shows the wheel during assembly with the fork. Screws can insertinto the holes in the tab to secure the tab on either side of the axle.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show the pedal previously shown in FIG. 1. The pedal isblow molded and has two sides with a series of ribs 174 between thesides. The sides are generally hollow due to the blow molding process,and the ribs are integrally formed between the two sides. The sides maybe formed as a double wall blow molded part. Each of the pedal sides hasa series of protrusions designed to provide traction against a user'sfoot. As shown, the protrusions are rectangular in shape, however otherpatterns are contemplated. The two sides form two surfaces where theuser's foot is designed to interact with one of the surfaces during use.Each of the ribs has a curved surface. The orientation of the ribsalternate with respect to the central axis to form a bearing area thatsurrounds the central axis and is designed to interact with a section ofthe axle that is designed to receive the pedal. The ribs can also have avarying thickness so that the ribs keep the center axis of the pedalaligned with the section of the axle designed to receive the pedal, evenwhen under a load that is off center relative to the pedal. For example,the ribs at the proximal and distal ends of the pedal may be relativelynarrow with the curved surface oriented in the same direction for boththe proximal and distal ribs. Between the proximal and distal ribs maybe a wider rib that has the curved surface oriented in the oppositedirection relative to the proximal and distal ribs. This orientation ofthe ribs would provide for a pedal that would stay aligned with the axleif a pedaling force were applied in a non-symmetrical manner in relationto the center between the proximal and distal ends. For example, if apedaling force was located near the distal rib, the pedal would beinclined to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the central axis ofthe pedal and parallel to the two surfaces. The narrow ribs at the endswould resist this rotation by bearing against the pedal shaft. FIGS. 9Aand 9B show a pedal with more than three ribs that alternate inorientation with respect to the central axis. For example, a pedal withthree ribs described previously may be placed in an orientation wheretwo of the ribs located on the proximal and distal ends have oneorientation, and a rib located between the two ribs on the proximal anddistal ends would have the opposite orientation, ie 180 degrees relativeto the two ribs at proximal and distal ends. As discussed, thealternation of the ribs and likewise the curved surface forms a bearingarea 172 such that each internal curved surface makes up a part of thebearing area that receives a pedal shaft, where the pedal shaft rotateswithin and against the bearing area. During the blow molding process athin section of plastic 176 may be left between the ribs, but duringassembly, this thin section can be pierced by the pedal shaft portion322. Two of the ribs on the pedal are spaced close together to create apocket 1702 that receives a washer 170 that secures the pedal to theshaft 322. The internal curved surface of the pocket has a largerdiameter than that of the ribs, because the diameter of the washer islarger than that of the pedal shaft, thus the washer must sit in therecess so that the center of the washer aligns with the center of thepedal shaft. One end of the pedal has a thicker section of plastic thatacts as a stop 178 to limit the insertion of the shaft 322 inside thebearing area 172. Therefore, during installation, the pedal shaft isinserted through and pierces the thin sections 176, but does not piercethe stop 178.

FIG. 10 shows a prior art injection molded pedal. As shown, a centersection of the pedal has a hole 162 for receiving a washer 160. Thecenter section receives a shaft 164. The injection molded pedal has aplurality of sections that are generally parallel to the central axisand provide traction for a user. Because the injection molded pedal hasa number of these sections, the mold must be designed so that enoughplastic and molding time is used to ensure that plastic is properlydistributed among all of the sections to create a complete pedal.Defects could occur in the sections during the manufacturing process,and the extended molding time can increase costs of manufacture.

What is claimed is:
 1. A blow molded toy cycle comprising: a body havinga seating surface and an arm; said arm having a hole with a first axis,said hole defining a female bearing area with a first tapered sectionand a first recess section, a taper of said first tapered sectiondisposed at an angle with respect to said first axis, said first recesssection located adjacent to said first tapered section; a fork having ashaft at a proximal end, said shaft having a second axis passing througha center of said shaft; a male bearing area located on said shaft, saidmale bearing area having a second tapered section; a protrusion sectionon said shaft located adjacent to said male bearing area; said malebearing area adapted to contact said female bearing area when said shaftis inserted into said female bearing area such that said first andsecond tapered sections are in contact and said protrusion section onsaid shaft contacts said body at said arm adjacent to said femalebearing area and said protrusion section is in contact with said firstrecess section; said protrusion section adapted to lock said fork tosaid body when said protrusion section is in contact with said firstrecess section.
 2. The toy cycle of claim 1 wherein both the angle ofthe taper of said first tapered section and an angle of a taper of thesecond tapered section is in the range of 1 to 10 degrees in relation tosaid second axis.
 3. The toy cycle of claim 1 further comprising: aportion of said shaft adapted to receive a handlebar and having aprotrusion extending from a wall thereof; said handlebar having a voidand a recess, said recess adapted to interact with said protrusion whensaid portion of said shaft is inserted into said void.
 4. The toy cycleof claim 3 further comprising: said wall having at least one flatsurface; said portion of said shaft having a section with at least oneflat surface, wherein said flat surfaces of said wall and said shaftportion interact such that rotation of said handlebar causes said shaftto rotate about said first axis.
 5. The toy cycle of claim 4 furthercomprising: a protrusion on said handlebar extending into said void ofsaid handlebar; a recess positioned on said portion of said shaft whichinteracts with said protrusion on said handlebar to secure saidhandlebar to said fork such that the body is held between said handlebarand said fork with said male bearing area in contact with said femalebearing area.
 6. The toy cycle of claim 3 further comprising: aprotrusion on said handlebar extending into a void of said handlebar,said void positioned centrally in said handlebar such that whenassembled a center of said void aligns with said first axis; a recesspositioned on a portion of said shaft which interacts with saidprotrusion on said handlebar to secure said handlebar to said fork suchthat the body is held between said handlebar and said fork with saidmale bearing area in contact with said female bearing area.
 7. The toycycle of claim 1 further comprising: tabs integrally formed to said forkat a distal end of said fork, said tabs having a flexible portion and arigid portion, said rigid portion having a first surface; a recess atsaid distal end of said fork adapted to receive an axle; said flexibleportion adapted to bend such that said first surface mates with saidfork for mounting said axle to said fork while allowing said axle torotate within said recess.
 8. The toy cycle of claim 7 furthercomprising a protrusion on said tab and a second recess on said fork,said protrusion on said tab inserted into said second recess to alignsaid tab with said fork.
 9. The toy cycle of claim 7 further comprisinga protrusion on said fork and a recess in said tab, said protrusion onsaid fork inserted into said recess in said tab to align said tab withsaid fork.
 10. The toy cycle of claim 7 further comprising two holes insaid tab passing all the way through said tab, and two holes in saidfork configured to align with respective ones of said holes in said tabsuch that screws are insertable through said two holes in said tab tosecure to said fork via said two holes in said fork.
 11. The toy cycleof claim 1 further comprising: a blow molded pedal comprising: a bearingsurface having a central axis; a plurality of ribs each having a curvedsurface facing said central axis, each curved surface having a radius,said curved surfaces defining said bearing surface wherein a first sideof said pedal along said central axis alternates between one of saidplurality of ribs and an open space; two side sections connected to saidplurality of ribs and defining two substantially flat surfaces; saidbearing surface adapted to rotate around a first section of an axle. 12.The toy cycle of claim 1 further comprising: a diameter of said firsttapered section being smaller than a diameter of said first recesssection.
 13. The toy cycle of claim 1 further comprising: a diameter ofsaid male bearing area smaller than a diameter of said protrusionsection on said shaft.
 14. The toy cycle of claim 13 further comprising:a diameter of said first tapered section being smaller than a diameterof said first recess section.
 15. The toy cycle of claim 1 wherein saidprotrusion section on said shaft includes a flat surface perpendicularto said second axis.